Japanese X-League Allstars take on Ivies

Submitted by Hugh White on January 22nd, 2023 at 12:03 PM

Well, this happened while you were sleeping. A team of all-stars from the Japanese X League (the semi-pro league where Gardner and Gallon played) took on a collection of Ivy seniors in an exhibition last night, in an effort to grow the sport in Japan. Ivies win 24-20. ESPN+ will broadcast the game, time tba. If you really miss college football‽ 
 

woomba

January 22nd, 2023 at 12:44 PM ^

One minor correction - it was billed as "Japan All-Star" lineup and actually featured 6 current college players in an admittedly X-league dominant lineup.

You can see the roster here - some familiar names for CFB fans

https://xleague.jp/feature/dreambowl2023-japan

 

MGoCarolinaBlue

January 22nd, 2023 at 4:45 PM ^

Unsurprisingly, there are a few responses in this thread which disparage this event in the same way some NFL fans disparage the college sport.

From where I sit, Football is Football -- perhaps even more so when the players have no realistic shot of a long term professional career but still give their all in the spirit of brotherhood and honorable combat.

I am reminded that the true meaning of the word "amateur" is one who does out of love, while the part about the paycheck is more incidental.

At any rate, 24 - 20 sounds a lot more exciting than 65 - 7. I look forward to a late night re-run to enjoy on a visit to the old man's house in the depths of OT season.